00:00Housing pressure is one of the biggest questions facing many villages around the West Midlands.
00:06In Hockley Heath that debate has now moved on after Solihull councillors approved outline plans for 99 homes on Greenbelt
00:15land south of School Road.
00:17The decision follows more than 200 objections including concerns from Hockley Heath Parish Council, local MP Sakibati and campaigners who
00:27say the village is already under strain.
00:30Residents warned about road safety, limited public transport, school places and extra traffic.
00:36The applicant, Nurtum Development, says the scheme would provide a mix of homes including affordable and market housing alongside contributions
00:45towards education, health, sport, traffic calming and pedestrian safety.
00:50Its planning agent said officers had recommended approval and highlighted infrastructure improvements for School Road.
00:57Planning officers told council the benefits carried substantial or moderate weight and the applicant had made a case of very
01:05special circumstances which outweighed harm to the Greenbelt.
01:09They also said the parish council's infrastructure review could not carry material weight.
01:15Councillors approved the application unanimously but this is not the final design stage.
01:20Details including layout, scale and appearance must still return through reserve matters before building can proceed on the site.
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